Reportedly runner-up in the conclave of 2005, the Church’s new Argentinian leader has all the credentials required of a pope.

VATICAN CITY — Uncertainty quickly gave way to elation among the faithful that thronged St. Peter’s Square as the name of Jesuit Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was announced from the loggia of the basilica.

Few of the 100,000-strong crowd who had gathered to welcome the successor to Benedict XVI were expecting the 76-year-old Argentine cardinal to become Pope in this election.

Delight seemed initially to mix with some bewilderment as people took in the name.

But, quickly, shouts of “Fran-ce-sco” from the Roman-heavy international crowd signaled the Italians had already taken him to their hearts, helped by the fact that he has Italian ancestry.

Many Vatican watchers were predicting a younger candidate than Cardinal Bergoglio, who lives with one lung (although it's a condition he has had for many years). It was reported the Argentine cardinal allegedly came in second in the conclave of 2005 that elevated Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the papacy. But the history of the popes is rife with vital elder statesmen. Pope John XXIII, who convened the Second Vatican Council, was elected right before he turned 76, and Benedict XVI was elected at 78.

One of those surprised by the result was the Vatican’s Jesuit spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, who knows Pope Francis, though not well. “I’m in shock,” he told reporters shortly after the election. “I’m shocked that he [the new Pope] is from Latin America and by his name.”

Pope Francis is the first Jesuit to be elected Pope in the order’s history, the first Pope from the Americas and the first ever pontiff to take the name Francis. Members of the Society of Jesus are called to be servants of the servants of the Church, but, until now, not to be in such authoritative positions. For this reason, Father Lombardi said he found it “a little strange to have a Jesuit as pope,” but he was clearly moved and delighted by the news.

He also thought the name appropriate — after St. Francis of Assisi. “The choice of the name Francis is very meaningful,” he said. “It is a name that has never been chosen before and evokes simplicity and an evangelical witness.”

Father Lombardi also noted it was “beautiful that he asked the people to pray for him and bowed to receive their blessing before blessing them.”

‘Extraordinary Election’

“This is an extraordinary election,” said Alejandro Bermudez, editor in chief of Latin America’s largest online Catholic news service, ACI Prensa, and founder of the U.S.-based Catholic News Agency. “He is absolutely comfortable in his own skin. He’s incredibly minimalistic. He showed up without the mozetta (when he appeared at the loggia). He came out wearing plain white. And his choice of the name Francis is completely humble.”

Pope Francis telephoned Benedict XVI this evening and will visit him soon. The new Pope will celebrate the Angelus on Sunday and will have an audience with journalists at the Vatican on Saturday morning.

Tomorrow, he will celebrate his first Mass with cardinals, and his inauguration Mass is expected to take place on March 19, the feast of St. Joseph, in St. Peter’s.

A man of deep simplicity and humility, Pope Francis used to cook for himself, ride buses to work and cared for a disabled priest, in addition to all of his other duties as archbishop of Buenos Aires.

But he also made a point of never wanting to live in the Vatican and resisted invitations from John Paul II to work in the Curia, saying he would “die there” if he was sent to Rome.

“He’s incredibly learned and a serious theologian,” said Bermudez. “He’s known for being critical of the Curia.”

“If we thought Benedict was an introvert, we all need to be prepared for the real thing now,” said Roger McCaffrey, an American Catholic publisher who was familiar with the Holy Father when he served as a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

But as head of the Jesuit province in Argentina from 1973 to 1979, he acquired a reputation for being a tough administrator and for “cleaning house” — something the cardinal electors are likely to have noted in their deliberations, in light of the need to reform the Roman Curia.

Speaking to the Register in St. Peter’s Square just after the white smoke appeared, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, one of the three cardinals to head the commission of enquiry into Vatileaks, made the point that it is Christ who ultimately guides the Church, but it was his “great hope” that the new Vicar of Christ will set about reforming the Curia.

Pro-Life, Pro-Family and Pro-Poor

Cardinal Bergoglio was known to be vibrantly pro-life, describing the pro-abortion movement as a “culture of death,” using the term coined by the man who made him a cardinal in 2001, Pope John Paul II. He opposed the free distribution of contraceptives in Argentina, staunchly defended the rights of the poor and chastised material inequality — he would frequently visit the slums in Buenos Aires — and spoke out strongly against same-sex “marriage.”

In 2010, he firmly opposed a bill giving same-sex couples the opportunity to marry and adopt children, saying it will “seriously damage the family” should it be approved. He made the statement in a letter addressed to each of the four monasteries in Argentina, asking the contemplatives to pray “fervently” that legislators be strengthened to do the right thing.

“At stake is the identity and survival of the family: father, mother and children,” he wrote. “At stake are the lives of many children who will be discriminated against in advance and deprived of their human development given by a father and a mother and willed by God. At stake is the total rejection of God’s law engraved in our hearts.”

The new Pope will face many competing concerns when he takes up residence in the Apostolic Palace, not least increasing secularism. He will also have to confront the sexual-abuse crisis and the possibility that more cases will come to light in countries that have so far escaped notice.

Other Challenges

Pope Francis will also have to face a host of other challenges, such as protecting and promoting religious freedom in the Middle East, India and China, not to mention conscience rights in the United States and Europe.

In his own Latin America, he will have to contend with the loss of Church members to Pentecostal sects. In Africa and Asia, where the Church is expanding rapidly, he will face the challenges of the effects of poverty, globalization and inculturation.

On the ecumenical front, the new Pope can be expected to continue work on improving relations with the Orthodox, Anglicans and Jews, while continuing Benedict XVI's work in interreligious dialogue, particularly with Islam, all the while bolstered by prayers of hundreds of millions of the faithful.

Given all the challenges that lay ahead, it is perhaps fitting he chose the name of the saint whom Christ urged, “Rebuild my Church.”

Comments

I don’t think we can paint any one religious order with a broad brush. By the same token, we cannot label any pope by his name choice. Pope Francis is not St. Francis; much of what we know of St. Francis may or may not be true. Did he preach to animals? Really, who cares.

There are some very good and orthodox Jesuits, just as there are some good and orthodox diocesan priests and bishops, and others that are liberal free-thinkers that are dangerous for people to follow.

We need to wait and see what Pope Francis will do. So far, he seems to be his own man. In an Italian article, I read today that he spoke about the Prophet Jonah, as did Jesus, so that’s good.

At least he may not be like so many of our priesthood today that calls much of the Bible, a “myth”, like the first eleven chapters of Genesis, that local Catholic parishioners were told they did not have to believe.

The comment he supposedly made about the Anglican ordinariate may have been taken out of context. It could have been Pope Francis was speaking about Anglicans in Argentina, and not Angicans, overall. I think what Pope Benedict did about welcoming the Anglicans was a huge success - and I know that, as a fact. Further, it is an answer to Jesus’ own prayer, for Church unity, with Him (Jesus) as Head.

I think Catholics of good faith, if we are trying to see health brought to our church, need to give factual details, if we write anything that could possibly be destructive to the overall church. Please, let’s give Pope Francis a chance, and show him some grace. Someone will be pope. We don’t need to canonize him after a week. But we can show him grace and mercy, and help him to succeed.

Our church is all about Jesus. It’s about the Gospel. With a Jesuit, maybe priests and bishops will be more compelled to preach and teach the New Testament letters, in context and verse-by-verse, equipping Catholics to live Christian lives. The only thing we can do with a broad brush is show mercy, grace and love, extending forgiveness liberally, while we work together (Christian with Christian) to build a God-honoring, Christian world, being salt & light for everyone, till Christ comes. Come, Lord Jesus!

Posted by Nancy Janzen on Monday, Mar 18, 2013 12:35 PM (EDT):

In response to Susan’s question when was the last time you heard of a pope who was for the poor. How about Pius XII? The Pacelli’s were a rich family Pius XII came into the Church a rich young man seems we hear that alot St Francis and others. During the war Pius XII spent much of his personel fortune on passages out of Europe for Jewish refugees for whom he had wrangled visa’s from General Trujillo of the Dominican Republic 1000 at a time. Didn’t know that did you Susan? Cardinal Roncalli John XXIII when asked about the 400 visas he wrangled out of Portugal said he was just following his Popes orders. His Pope was Pius XII. Everything done including quite a few “conversions” 300 a month at one church in Hungary were all done because Pius XII inspired or ordered help to our Jewish brothers. Before you judge our leaders get to really know what is not on the surface. If you are a Catholic start thinking like one.

As a soldier of Jesus I hope our new Pope overcomes his natural reticence and proves to be the exceptional leader we know the Holy Spirit has called him to be. I’m a Presbyterian who came home a year ago at Easter to the Catholic Church. Thanks be to God for that and for our new Pope Francis!

Posted by lroy on Friday, Mar 15, 2013 9:34 AM (EDT):

Blessed (please God, soon to be a saint) JP2 made him a cardinal-positive Pope JP2 had a say to Holy Spirit. Pope Francis even has the same round face (sort of) like JP2. The fact that he is “conservative” (that’s the objective word here) in all matters of pro-life is just cherry pie. I’m loving the new pope more and more.

Posted by Susan Fox on Friday, Mar 15, 2013 3:37 AM (EDT):

Ho Ho, Charles O’Connell, those dissident Jesuits will have a harder time getting away with rebellion with a Jesuit in the papacy. God is so smart! Also the name Francis is so wonderful because God told St. Francis “Rebuild my Church.” We just got a trio of great popes to help us get out of the mess created by the false Vatican II. Pope John Paul II wrote and explained the Catholic faith for our age and helped form a whole generation of young people and priests. Pope Benedict continued the work of explaining the faith for our generation and weeded out some bag eggs. Now Pope Francis will rebuild the church, continuing the work of the previous two popes. My husband and I hope he will order Catholic priests and deacons to finally read the Catechism and the works of the last two popes. God bless you. Susan Fox http://christsfaithfulwitness.blogspot.com

Posted by Ann on Friday, Mar 15, 2013 3:28 AM (EDT):

Perhaps he can start ‘cleaning house’ by getting rid of the priests,bishops,archbishops, and cardinals that have covered up abuses and have yet to leave or charges pressed.Of course,he is prolife/family, he wouldn’t be there if he wasn’t,at least he IS pro-poor.When was the last time you heard that about a Pope?If he wasn’t used to be in authoritative positions,as his order was,he will be pushed around-perhaps even bullied if he is not used to standing on his own two feet-so to speak.His humility is refreshing,but how long will it last as Pope Francis no one can say for certain.The popes over the recent years have been humble(Pope Benedict wasn’t so much until he announced his resignation)it will be nice and refreshing if he stayed that way for his entire papacy.

Posted by Al Hurley on Friday, Mar 15, 2013 1:03 AM (EDT):

Pope Francis IS our Pope and IS the Vicar Christ, here to spread the Gospel to all the world. We all owe him our allegiance and have the duty to pray for him as well as for all the Church.
By the way,MWP, his coming out in simple robe in no way diminishes the office. Don’t worry, you will see much awareness and visible acknowledgement of the holy office of Peter that he holds.

Posted by Terah James on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 8:16 PM (EDT):

A Catholic friend reminded me of what is most important about this news:
that our country (the USA) and the world needs to turn back to God. We all need to repent for having turned so far away from Him.

She remined me that “revivals” only happened in the past when leadership dusted off their Bibles and taught Scripture truths in their fullness, and in context. She is correct. No matter who is pope, we need to remember the Church belongs to Jesus. We are His Body of Christ; we are all “His Bride”. Until He comes, we need to keep in His word.

Like Hezekiah and Josiah, the Holy Scripture were found in the Temple,
underneath debris, long forgotten. So they dusted it off and verse-by-verse, read to the people what God wanted of them, and upon knowing the truth, the people obeyed His word & they really worshipped Him.

For us today, it would mean pastors, priests, and bishops, preaching and teaching the entirety of the New Testament, including the letters written by St. Paul (whom my friend calls the “Persona non Grata” of the Catholic church).

Want God? Get parish priests all over the world teaching the New Testament, all of it, in verse-by-verse expository fashion. Begin at the Vatican, and pray for sound teaching to happen all over the world, including here in America.

Exegisis only. Expose God’s truths to people in the pews. Start now. Then watch the revival. Watch people turn to Christ. Watch true worship happening in churches across the land, and across the world, and the Body of Christ will grow and become healthier.

Posted by mws on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 6:09 PM (EDT):

Thank you, Charles O’Connell for your post. I was sad to learn that Pope Francis is a Jesuit for the reasons that you posted. I don’t think any order has done as much damage to the Catholic Church as the Jesuits have done. Look at Georgetown University and Boston College just to name two colleges that are Jesuit and go against all Church teaching. My 7 kids know that Jesuit education is out for our family.

Posted by Robert A.Rowland on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 3:29 PM (EDT):

One thing that concerns me is the mention of inter religious dialogue with Islam. What can a Christian accomplished with dialogue with those who reject the divinity of Jesus? That seems like a dialogue with evil.

I immediately considered electing a Jesuit who chose the name Francis to be very significant. My first thought was to confirm that the Holy Spirit was indeed in charge of the conclave. My late wife, Lori and I were devoted to Padre Pio for many years, and while involved in the cause for the his Canonization, Father Alessio, who took care of Padre Pio in his last years was a guest in our home. When he left, he swept me off my feet with a huge bear hug and then handed me a first Class Relic of St.Francis. My hope is that Pope Francis will indeed rebuild the Church and help us recover the peak evangelization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen who was my mentor when I converted in 1949. My greatest hope is to see belief in the Real Presence recover to the almost perfect level for every practicing Catholic that preceded VCII. I have longed for over 50 years to overcome the flaw of receiving Communion from non-consecrated hands.

Posted by Helen Stephens on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 2:54 PM (EDT):

Congratulations to our new Pope Francis! May God bless him all the remaining days of his life. I too hope he speaks sternly to our wayward polliticians Biden, Pelosi and Sebilious as well as many of the Kennedy Clan, Caroline, Joe and Patrick, who embarass the rest of us true Catholics with their pro choice declarations, adulturous marriages, sucking up to secularism, etc. I further hope that these fools will listen to him and take his correction to heart. God hae mercy on us all.

Posted by Janet O'Connor on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 2:47 PM (EDT):

Here are my thoughts: I was following this on my computer when I heard the name and was confused by the new Papal Name. When he came out I noticed that drapery on the loggia was BLANK in the middle it did not have the Pope Emeritus coat of arms on it. But when he came out, and started to speak and make his first actions, I kept thinking I had seen or hear something similar to it a few decades ago. Then it struck me. It all reminded me of Albino Luciani who took the name of John Paul I. Nobody knew anything about him, but the “Smiling Pope” was also meek and simple with a love for the poor, than I find out he had part of his lung removed (Not all of a lung like JPI) and then Today I read where he said to the Cardinals “May God Forgive You For what You Have Done” Its 1978 once again

Posted by Nancy Janzen on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 2:02 PM (EDT):

We have a Pope All Catholics should give him time to get his message to us and not jump on something from his past. Leading Buenos Aires and leading the whole Church are 2 different things and we need to be a little patient. Only Christ could perform miracles.

Posted by Greg on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 12:59 PM (EDT):

God is so good to us! We are blessted living in times of such great men on the Chair of Peter!

Posted by MWP on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 12:59 PM (EDT):

I love our new holy father Francis. I also love the office of Peter which is done a disservice when it is diminished and made low by throwing aside the mozzeta, not sitting on the throne to receive the cardinals, and things like that. Not to mention tacitly judging the men who used these symbols of the office of pope. The person is separate from the office and the office should be kept effective by raising it up not by lowering it with acts of false humility. My opinion anyway.

Posted by florin on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 10:17 AM (EDT):

This is really a new Springtime for the Church, a new beginning. Our new Pope Francis reminds me of Archbishop Romero, a true man of God and a man of and for the people…he has asked for our prayers and we must truly pray for him. By the way, it is being reported that Pope Francis asked the people to bless him…no, he asked the people to ask the Lord to bless him…there’s a difference. In some Churches the one giving out Communion - a layperson - puts the Chalice in one hand and makes the sign of the Cross on the person’s forehead who can’t receive Communion…Pope Francis did not ask for this…he clearly asked that the people ask the Lord to bless him and then asked the people to pray for him…as we must.

Posted by Charles O'Connell on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 10:13 AM (EDT):

It might be hoped that the Holy Father will either purge the Jesuit order or else suppress it outright. “The most open [homosexualist] revolt against the Pope and the Church is headed by some Jesuits in the United States, who openly oppose them and announce that despite the above decisions, they will keep admitting homosexually-oriented seminarians, who are, indeed, especially welcome. They have a long tradition in that vein, for years being the mainstay of homoideology and homoheresy.… it is estimated they have achieved the highest saturation with homosexuals, way above 30 percent. Gays feel more comfortable with them than ever, while other priests find the specific atmosphere less and less bearable. … It appears as though the Jesuits have replaced their traditional, fourth vow of obedience to the Pope with a fourth vow of arch-disobedience.” - F. Dariusz Oko, “With the Pope Against Homoheresy”, LifeSiteNews, 2-26-13

Posted by RMW on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 10:08 AM (EDT):

I think many of us ‘assumed’ his choice of Francis was for Xavier rather than Assisi as he is a Jesuit, but it has been said several times since yesterday that he chose Francis specifically for Francis of Assisi for both his humility - clearly lived by Pope Francis, and his call to ‘clean house’ at it were so long ago. May Pope Francis have our prayers and love as he begins his own work of restoring and building the Church!

Posted by Terri Smith on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 10:01 AM (EDT):

Praise God for our new Pope Francis. May we continue to pray for him and the anointing of the Holy Spirit to continue to guide him on his journey and lead God’s people to a great Re=newal in the Faith, which of course is founden on Jeaus Christ. Praise God now and Forever!!!
What a humble man of the people. God bless you Francis!

Posted by Michael Williams on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 9:31 AM (EDT):

In response to Normal Smith:

Actually, most cases of sexual abuse occurred from the mid-1950’s through the mid-1980’s (secular media often gave the impression that abuse was rampant in the 1990’s / 2000’s, but that’s not correct.) The crisis was more about the revelation than about actual abuse - many dioceses, including Boston, had introduced reforms to stop abuse in the 1980’s and 1990’s, long before the story broke.

The reason it is still a crisis now has to do more with Europe than the U.S., because revelations of abuse there did not widely surface until the past few years.

Posted by Norman Smith on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 9:11 AM (EDT):

Very useful article, beginning to fill us in on our new Pope Francis. While he is obviously very capable, with a long history of accomplishment, many if not most of us (the laity at least) are not up to speed on his background.

Although I try to keep up with what is going on in the world, and particularly in the church, I’m sure I miss a lot of significant developments which prompts this request: Can you or someone bring me up to date with a summary of what currently constitues the “sexual abuse crisis” in the church. I thought that the vast majority of the incidents ocurred in the 1990’s and before and that remedial steps have been taken. What then brings it back to the level of “crisis” at this time?

I am also curious to know Pope Francis, or anyone else for that matter, can “dialogue” with Islam. Who speaks for Islam; with whom do you dialogue?

Long live Pope Francis!

Posted by lelnet on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 8:55 AM (EDT):

Well, now it seems he will indeed die in Rome. But hopefully, it shall be quite a few years hence.

May the good Lord guide & protect the Pope. Congrats Pope Francis. It is the Lord’s doing.

Posted by robert waligora on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 8:37 AM (EDT):

I am so glad for Pope Francis, and I am also glad that no American Cardinal was chosen..even though I live in Michigan. Until the Cardinals in America discipline Biden, Pelosi, Sebilius and every other catholic heretic in politics..in other words ..LEAD THEIR OWN FLOCK..they certainly should not be the Leader of the Church in Rome. God Bless your ministry Pope Francis.

Posted by Steven Buehler on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 7:45 AM (EDT):

“He also thought the name appropriate — after St. Francis of Assisi.”

Try St. Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the Jesuit order. :-)

Posted by Robert Podesfinski of Portland OR on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 4:30 AM (EDT):

Most historic is this is the first pope from a non-European continent!
The South American faith the Vatican sought to grow is returning to Rome to help faith in Rome grow and throughout the world.
Robert Podesfinski of Portland OR

Posted by OKEKE MARCEL on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 4:07 AM (EDT):

His Holiness,the Lord is your strenght

Posted by Naomi Blessing on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 2:58 AM (EDT):

Thank You ooh! Lord for chosen a leader for Your Holy church on earth, give him the strenght we pray thee Lord, to gather Your people in oneness and love and to teach according to the faith of the Appostles, Amen,,,,..... St. Francise…... Pray for us

Posted by Elizabeth Milian on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 2:43 AM (EDT):

St Francis of Assisi is my favorite saint. It gives me great relief that our new Pope is a humble man, a strong man, & a man held to and by his conviction. I pray for his strength to pull our church past its troubles and back to family values particularly the so very necessary, and terribly lacking, headship. And the lost role of the wife who follows her husband as did Ruth follow.

Posted by Daniel Roddick on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 2:25 AM (EDT):

Great summary.

Posted by kevin on Thursday, Mar 14, 2013 1:14 AM (EDT):

Francis has an MS in chemistry. Take out your copies of “Faith and Reason” and brush up. The Lord continues to provide us with brilliant & holy leaders.

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